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2017 Toyota Yaris iA

Rankings & Research

The 2017 Toyota Yaris iA ranking is based on its score within the 2017 Subcompact Cars category.
Currently the Toyota Yaris iA has a
score of 8.7
out of 10 which is based on our evaluation of 22 pieces of research and data elements
using various sources.

Scorecard

Critics' Rating:

8.2

Performance:

8.0

Interior:

7.9

Total Cost of Ownership:

9.2

Safety:

9.8

Reliability:

2017 Toyota Yaris iA Review

by Bryan Siwik | August 31, 2018

The 2017 Toyota Yaris iA ranks near the top of its class on the strength of its excellent predicted reliability and safety ratings. It also has well-rounded performance and an impressive standard features list.

Features & Specs

Photos

2017 Toyota Yaris iA Overview

Is the 2017 Toyota Yaris iA a Good Used Car?

The Toyota Yaris iA is a great car, and it’s a great example of an inexpensive, entry-level model that doesn’t skimp on value. It comes with lots of standard amenities, like a rearview camera, a touch-screen infotainment system, and automatic emergency braking. Very high safety and predicted reliability ratings also contribute to the Yaris iA’s appeal as a practical daily driver.

This car’s shortcomings – limited rear-seat space and mediocre engine power – are fairly typical of the subcompact car class. However, the Yaris iA combines a plush ride with playful handling to result in fairly respectable performance.

Why You Can Trust Us

We’ve researched 22 Toyota Yaris iA reviews, as well as hard data points like reliability scores and cost of ownership estimates, to help you make the best car-buying decision possible.

U.S. News & World Report has been ranking cars since 2007, and our team has more than 75 years of automotive industry experience combined. While we’re passionate about cars, we’re even more committed to providing helpful consumer advice. To ensure our reviews remain impartial, we refuse expensive gifts and trips from car companies, and an outside team handles the advertising on our site.

How Much Is the 2017 Toyota Yaris iA?

At the time of this writing, we don't have dedicated pricing data for a used 2017 Toyota Yaris iA.

How Much Does the 2017 Toyota Yaris iA Cost to Own?

The 2017 Yaris iA tends to be more affordable than its competitors when it comes to gas, insurance, repair, and maintenance costs. You can expect to pay around $19,600 over five years for these expenses. By comparison, a 2017 Kia Rio’s five-year costs are typically about $1,900 higher than the Yaris iA’s, while the 2017 Ford Fiesta’s costs are about $2,000 higher.

Is It Better to Buy a Used or New Yaris iA?

There were no major changes made to the 2018 Toyota Yaris iA, so you may be better served shopping for a used 2017 model instead of a new one. You’ll likely save money too by going with a used model.

Which Model Year of the Toyota Yaris iA Is Best?

Before it was a Toyota, the iA was known as the 2016 Scion iA. With the dissolution of the Scion brand, the car became the Toyota Yaris iA. There were no major changes between the 2016 Scion iA and the 2017 Yaris iA, so you can likely save some money and get an otherwise similar car by going with the Scion.

How Reliable Is the 2017 Toyota Yaris iA?

2017 Toyota Yaris iA Recalls

At the time of this writing, one open recall applies to the 2017 Toyota Yaris iA. The spare tire pressure may be incorrect, which could increase the risk of a crash. Be sure that a Toyota dealer has addressed this issue before buying a used 2017 Yaris iA.

Certified Pre-Owned Toyota Yaris iA Warranty

Though it may cost a bit more, a certified pre-owned Yaris iA may suit you better. Toyota provides a one-year/12,000-mile limited warranty on all its certified pre-owned vehicles, and it extends the original new-car powertrain warranty to seven years or 100,000 miles. Each CPO Toyota must pass a 160-point inspection. Additional benefits like towing and roadside assistance may be available, so read the Toyota warranty page carefully. Toyota’s CPO program is better than many other nonluxury brands for the coverage and benefits that it provides.

How Safe Is the Yaris iA?

The 2017 Toyota Yaris iA boasts high safety scores. It earned a five-star overall rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, receiving five out of five stars in the frontal and side crash tests, and four stars in the rollover test. The Yaris iA also earned the highest rating of Good in five Insurance Institute for Highway Safety tests. The IIHS named the Yaris iA a 2017 Top Safety Pick.

The Yaris iA comes with a rearview camera and a low-speed pre-collision safety system. This function operates at speeds of 18 mph or below and can alert the driver of an impending front-end collision. If the driver fails to step on the brakes, the system can automatically apply them.

2017 Toyota Yaris iA Versus the Competition

Which Is Better: 2017 Toyota Yaris iA or 2017 Kia Rio?

The 2017 Kia Rio is a pretty solid choice among subcompact cars. The Rio has an above-average predicted reliability rating like the Yaris, but its safety scores are much lower than the Toyota’s. The Kia Rio comes with a 138-horsepower engine, which is one of the more powerful in the class. However, it can be loud and unrefined at highway speeds. Both of these cars have decent handling and a comfortable ride, making overall performance pretty much a toss-up. While the Yaris iA only comes as a sedan in one trim level, you’ll have more choices with the Rio. That includes a hatchback model that delivers ample cargo space, along with a sedan body style. You can even find Rio models with amenities like leather upholstery and heated front seats, though base models lack basic features like power windows and locks. The Yaris iA is a better choice overall, unless you need the extra cargo space found in the Rio hatchback.

Which Is Better: 2017 Toyota Yaris iA or 2017 Ford Fiesta?

The 2017 Ford Fiesta finishes in the bottom half of our rankings mostly because of its below-average predicted reliability. It can’t match the Yaris iA’s excellent safety scores, either. Otherwise, these subcompact cars are evenly matched. The Fiesta has among the best performance in the class, thanks to a trio of powerful engine options and engaging, dynamic handling. Neither car offers a lot when it comes to rear passenger room, but the Fiesta is available as a hatchback, which adds more space and utility. The Yaris iA comes standard with a touch screen, while lower-end Fiestas only have a voice-controlled system with a small screen, and they lack Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Go with the Yaris iA if you value reliability and appreciate its excellent safety scores, but the Fiesta is a more fun-to-drive car with as nicer interior.

2017 Yaris iA Performance

How Does the 2017 Toyota Yaris iA Drive?

The 2017 Toyota Yaris iA comes equipped with a 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine that makes 106 horsepower, which is not a lot of oomph. The iA’s power is sufficient for driving around town, but it feels sluggish when getting up to speed on the highway. Overtaking other cars may require some careful planning and a firm right foot. Both of the iA’s transmissions are excellent, and they make the best use of limited engine power. The standard six-speed manual gearbox earns good marks for its smooth action, and the refined six-speed automatic transmission features a Sport mode that adjusts the transmission’s shift points for better acceleration. Front-wheel drive is standard in all models.

The Yaris iA feels light and maneuverable, and it responds quickly to steering changes. The ride is soft and comfortable unlike many subcompact rivals that can feel jittery across broken pavement.

Does the 2017 Toyota Yaris iA Get Good Gas Mileage?

The Toyota Yaris iA makes up for its ho-hum acceleration with great fuel economy. Models with the automatic transmission can return an estimated 32 mpg in the city and 40 mpg on the highway. With the manual transmission, expect 30 mpg city and 39 mpg highway.

2017 Yaris iA Interior

How Many People Does the 2017 Yaris iA Seat?

The Toyota Yaris iA sedan seats five on standard cloth upholstery. The iA’s front seats are comfortable and offer impressive lateral support, thanks to large side bolsters. Most average-sized drivers will find ample space and a good seating position. However, taller drivers may not be so comfy. Smaller adults and children should have sufficient head- and legroom in the rear seat, but larger adults will likely feel cramped.

How Many Car Seats Fit in the 2017 Toyota Yaris iA?

The LATCH car-seat system in the Yaris iA includes two sets of lower anchors and three upper tether anchors. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave the setup the second-lowest rating of Marginal for its ease of use. Both sets of lower anchors are too deep in the rear outboard seat cushions, and they’re difficult to reach. There’s also little room to maneuver your hands around the anchors for the passenger-side rear seat.

2017 Toyota Yaris iA Features

Standard features include a 7-inch touch-screen infotainment system with Bluetooth, two USB ports, a six-speaker stereo, a rearview camera, and voice recognition. Some models may come equipped with satellite navigation.

The touch screen has crisp graphics, and its simple menu structure makes it very easy to use. If you don’t want to reach for the screen all the time, you’re in luck because the infotainment system also has a redundant control knob on the center console for quick access.

2017 Toyota Yaris iA Dimensions

Toyota Yaris iA Cargo Space

The 2017 Toyota Yaris iA sedan has 13.5 cubic feet of trunk space, which is on par with many other subcompact cars. The iA’s rear seats fold flat if you need to make space for the occasional large item.

2017 Yaris iA Length and Weight

The 2017 Yaris iA is 14.3 feet long. It has a curb weight of 2,385 pounds with the manual transmission, or 2,416 pounds with the automatic.